Lessons from a late-night career transition

Last week we watched a career transition play out on a national stage as “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien handled the exit of a career goal. He left on a good note, recapping the positive aspects of his role and passing on words of wisdom to those who encounter change along their paths.

What happened to Conan happens every day in corporate America, albeit behind closed doors. Decisions are made to reorganize and change business directions in spite of the a talented work force already on board.

Last week, I talked with Dr. Doug Hirschhorn, known for his expertise in peak-performance coaching for the elite on Wall Street, about celebrity career transitions.

It’s not all about money We talked about the issues superstars face — regardless of their chosen fields. While it’s easy to talk about the superstar severance packages, it’s more beneficial to look at how they adapt to change in their careers. For these super-performers, “it’s not about the actual dollars, it’s about being the best in the field,” Hirschhorn said.

“Superstars tend to hold themselves to a higher level of performance and anything less is unacceptable. With the desire to continually set higher standards of performance comes the internal challenge to be the best.” That’s why large compensation packages are not always the benchmark these super performers use when setting career goals.

It may be hard for most of us to feel sorry for someone who walks away from a job loss with a multimillion-dollar severance package, they have, no doubt, experienced the loss of a career goal.

Conan O’Brien probably will go through the same roller coaster of emotions as most people facing the change that comes with a career transition. It’s to be expected, and it’s a good idea to give yourself a mourning period, then start implementing steps to move you in a new direction. What’s next? Here’s the big question facing O’Brien or anyone facing a job change: What do you do about change that you’ve been given?

As his “Tonight Show” tenure drew to a close, O’Brien’s guests were asking him how he was doing. We can all relate to his feelings of disappointment. The letdown we feel at the loss of a career goal aims right at our emotional core, to some degree. Those who successfully make this transition often broaden their identity into other areas, so when one aspect of their life disappears unexpectedly, they are more apt to adjust.

Celebrities, as well as the senior level manager who works 70-plus hours a week can easily find their identity meshed with their performance. It helps to develop a sense of awareness, and stay connected to those who care about you, so when one aspect of your life becomes overloaded, those close to you can help keep you grounded.

Everyone has to deliver Since networking plays such a large role in a career transition, I asked Hirschhorn to discuss how celebrities network. Public figures have the ability and name recognition to network with virtually anyone, but they still have to deliver. “You can suit up with power in getting through to almost anyone, however the game is not over, it’s really just begun — you still have to deliver,” he said. For example, consider the celebrities who have started rock bands, and ended up with a very short music career. “If they can’t deliver the same standard of the music … then it’s all over. Superstar status does not guarantee success, you have to deliver.”

You need to deliver for your next employer. Just because you had a fantastic track record in sales last year, you still need to prepare and deliver results. You have to close the deal.

Lessons learned So, what can the job seeker take away from all this? Unexpected change happens to everyone, even star performers. That’s life. One of the serendipitous aspects of career change is that it allows you to reinvent yourself and rethink your goals.

Change has a way of moving a career in a different direction. To some, a career transition might provide the freedom to start a new business. For others it may mean the chance to turn long-lost dreams into reality. Change is a great time to reinvent yourself, it gives you time to think about your values and prioritize your life.

After an unexpected job change, many people is the rush to make a decision while their still being driven by emotions. Instead, take time to gather your thoughts. The way you react under pressure creates a perception of just how well you can manage change. You can use your energy to stay angry, or you can reinvent yourself to better opportunities.

Hirschhorn offered his view of O’Brien’s career transition. “In retrospect, this might be an incredible opportunity for Conan to broaden his appeal on a global platform.”

When a job-change happens, it helps to take some time to rethink your values. This might be a good time to take a different perspective on the important things in life, such as relationships, spirituality and balance. Going back to the basics helps define the reasons you entered a career field in the first place.